PORTLAND, OR – In a stunning mid-season turnaround, Israeli forward Deni Avdija has emerged as the driving force behind the Portland Trail Blazers’ resurgence, averaging career-high numbers since being acquired from Washington last summer. The 24-year-old phenom dropped 30 points against Milwaukee last month and followed it with seven consecutive 20-point games entering All-Star Weekend.
From Role Player to Franchise Cornerstone
Avdija’s transformation began when Portland GM Joe Cronin gambled on trading multiple first-round picks for the 6’9″ forward last July. The move raised eyebrows initially but now looks like a masterstroke as Avdija averages 18.7 points, 7.2 rebounds, and 4.1 assists through February – all career highs.
“Deni’s court vision at his size reminds me of young Draymond Green with a better scoring package,” said The Athletic’s Sam Vecenie during a recent Game Theory podcast breakdown.
The Perfect System Fit
Portland’s fast-paced offense under coach Chauncey Billups has unlocked Avdija’s full potential:
| Stat Category | 2024 (WAS) | 2025 (POR) |
|---|---|---|
| Points/Game | 14.1 | 18.7 |
| Rebounds/Game | 6.2 | 7.2 |
| Assists/Game | 3.1 | 4.1 |
| 3P% | .352 | .391 |
His improved three-point shooting (39% on 5 attempts per game) forces defenders to respect his perimeter game while maintaining elite defensive versatility against guards and forwards.
Playoff Implications
The Trail Blazers (32-25) currently hold the 6th seed in the stacked Western Conference after going 12-4 in their last 16 games before All-Star break. With Anfernee Simons sidelined until March, Avdija’s playmaking has been crucial:
- Recorded first career triple-double vs Sacramento (22/11/10)
- Capped comeback vs Miami with game-winning putback dunk
- Leads NBA forwards in assist-to-turnover ratio (3.8:1)
“We knew he had potential,” Billups told reporters after Thursday’s practice, “but nobody predicted this level of two-way impact so quickly.”
